Middleburg Books Hosts International Romance Writers at Community Center Event
Written by Kaitlin Hill | Photos courtesy of Zibby Publishing
“It’s great when bookstores are so heavily involved in having events with authors. It makes a huge, huge difference for the reader experience and for the authors as well,” shares Liverpool-based author Jane Costello. Costello, a Sunday Times bestselling author of 15 books who also writes under the name Catherine Isaac, was joined by Australian author Emma Grey for a Middleburg meet and greet with readers on January 30 at the Middleburg Community Center. A conversation prior to the event revealed a sneak peek into each author’s new book, their paths to writing romance, and their excitement for the Middleburg event. Middleburg Books owner Mary Beth Morell offered her thoughts on the event, too, and what she hoped audience members would take away.
Coincidentally, for each author, success in romance writing was born out of a major life change. Costello shares, “I was a journalist beforehand. I worked for a local newspaper, and when I was on maternity leave with my eldest son … I got the idea for my first book. I wrote it in between when he was napping.” Costello had been working on writing a book for years before publishing her first, “Bridesmaids,” about 20 years ago. She says, “It was a surprise bestseller, surprise especially to me, because I was the first in my family to go to university. I didn’t come from a family of authors or anything like that.”
Grey’s first novel, “The Last Love Note,” published in January 2023, came to her following the loss of her husband, Jeff. “The book is very much about a midlife widow who is processing the loss of her husband a few years on and falling in love again.” She continues, “It was very cathartic and I have had an incredible 12 months engaging with readers. A lot of incredible conversations about grief and loss.”
Established writers in their respective homelands, both Costello and Grey are finding an American audience with their new books, corresponding book tours, and refreshing take on the romance genre.
In her latest, “It’s Getting Hot in Here,” Costello offers readers “a proper comedy, a real feel-good book,” and a look at love later in life. Costello explains, “This is my first rom-com that has a middle-aged heroine. I reached my late 40s and really wanted to go there. The romance is from the point of view of someone my age, which was something I was really keen to explore.”
Of the main character, Lisa Darling, Costello says, “It’s not just the romance; it is about everything else going on in her life as well. The perimenopause, raising teenagers, juggling a really demanding career. She has the to-do list from hell and she is trying to do her bit for the PTA.” Costello continues, “Creating a romance with a main character experiencing all those things was so much fun. I think a lot of women will recognize themselves in Lisa Darling.”
“Pictures of You,” Grey’s most recent work, takes a unique approach to romance, too, exploring the concept of second chances. Grey says, “‘Pictures of You’ has a romantic storyline but covers some really deep topics. I’ve used amnesia as a way to create a thriller vibe.” The book follows Evie Hudson, who has lost her memory and her husband as the result of a car accident. “She has to piece her life back together. As she does that with the help of her high school friend Drew … she realizes she’s wound up in a life that is nothing like what she anticipated,” Grey explains. “We learn that she was in a very controlling relationship.” For Grey, “Pictures of You” offers readers the opportunity to “use fiction to talk about really important subjects.”
Both “Pictures of You” and “It’s Getting Hot in Here” are published by Zibby Publishing, a branch of Zibby Media. Founded by Zibby Owens, Zibby Media is a woman-owned start-up that, according to its website, is “dedicated to deepening connections between readers and authors.” The Zibby team organized the Middleburg event, working with Morell. Morell shares, “I’ve been a longtime listener of Zibby Owens’ podcast, ‘Totally Booked with Zibby.’ In this podcast, she interviews authors in about 30 minutes. These breezy chats have provided great insights into books by authors I know, and I’ve discovered a number of new titles for myself — and the bookshop! Zibby recently launched her own imprint, Zibby Publishing, and we have loved many of their titles, including Emma’s first book, ‘The Last Love Note.’ They reached out to us and asked if we would like to host this event, and we jumped at the opportunity.”
For Costello and Grey, the event will mark their first time in Middleburg. “It looks gorgeous! I think the closest I’ve ever been is Washington,” shares Costello. And Grey says, “I am so looking forward to the small town interaction.”
As for what the authors and Morell hope to have accomplished with the Middleburg event, the overarching theme is connectivity between author and reader. Morell says, “We had the opportunity to host a number of fantastic nonfiction authors during our first year, and as we start our second full year, we are thrilled to start the year with up-and-coming women writers of fiction. We hope our attendees will welcome these amazing authors to our community and be engaged and delighted by the wide-ranging discussion.” Grey adds, “When we can open up about some of those tougher aspects of life, there’s a sort of breakthrough in an audience at a book event, where people don’t feel so alone if they’ve been going through grief or loss. I think that we can really come together and just feel less alone and also feel uplifted.”
Costello adds, “I just hope they leave with … some insight into what drives an author, and how books go from an idea to being on the shelves.” She finishes, “And that they have had great fun!” ML
For more information on Emma Grey and “Pictures of You,” visit emmagrey.com.au. For the latest from Jane Costello, including information on the February 4, 2025, release of “It’s Getting Hot in Here,” visit catherine-isaac.com.
Featured photo by Michael Butcher.
Published in the February 2025 issue of Middleburg Life.